Job Discussion Forums

[jaim137]

Hello everyone � I�m a new kid on the block and would appreciate some info.

Does anyone know any cheap places to stay in Jeddah? I was thinking along the lines of such places as exist in Khobar, if memory serves, where you can drop in at a moment�s notice so long as you have your iqama, staying in a miniscule cabin but with plenty of food and a decent swimming pool, and still get change from 150 Riyal. (And watch Sky Sports News too). And not forgetting a respectable selection of second-hand English language novels to read there.

Maybe I�m being a tad optimistic here.

[trapezius]

Are you talking about what are called as "furnished apartments" in Saudi Arabia?

There are no motels or cheap hotels in Saudi. That's where these furnished apartments come in -- standard looking apartment buildings [i.e., ugly] with small units, ranging from 1 room to 3 rooms, with attached bath/shower, and a kitchenette. However, I don't think they have swimming pools, at least I have never seen one with.

Prices range from SR. 100 to 300 daily.

They are all over the place. In fact, most main streets (at least in Jeddah) are lined with hundreds of furnished apartment buildings. They are called "shugag mafroosha" in Arabic, and you will see a large neon sign in green or purple usually, at the top.

Oh, and food is not included in the price, and I don't think they have food at all. They are used mostly by people on business trips, people visiting other cities for tourism, etc. They all use the place for sleeping only, and so , eat outside in restaurants. Or you can cook if there is a kitchen inside.

And a selection of English novels to read?

Perhaps they have other kinds of temporary residences in Khobar